Foot exerciser



May 30, 1939.

J. A. CUNNINGHAM FOOT EXERCISER Filed Oct. 11, 1937 2 Shets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

May 30, 1939. J. A. CUNNINGHAM FOOT EXERC I S E R Filed Oct 11, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS;

Patented May 30, 1939 PATENT oFHcE FOOT EXERCISER- John A. Cunningham, Bethlehem, Pa., assignor of one-half to Mary Cunningham, Bethlehem,

Application October 11, 1937, Serial No. 168,510

1 Claim.

This invention relates to an apparatus designed for use in exercising the hips, waist, arms, back, lower limbs and feet, the primary object of the invention being to provide a device of this character which may be operated in a restricted space, eliminating the necessity of attaching the device to any fixed point.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which will require small space in storing, and one which may be readily and easily used in the home, Without the necessity of supplying a special support or anchoring device for the apparatus.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an exercising apparatus which may be operated to exercise the arms and back or may be operated to exercise the muscles of the legs and feet.

With the foregoing and other objects in view,

which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view illustrating the use of the exercising device in exercising the muscles of the back.

Figure 2 is a view illustrating the use of the exercising device in exercising the muscles of the legs and arms.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the exercising device.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the exercising device embodies a foot piece indicated by the reference character 5, and as shown, is substantially rectangular in shape, however, it is to be understood that the contour of the foot piece 5 may be changed to meet various requirements of use, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The bracket is indicated generally by the reference character 6, and embodies a length of 50 heavy wire material embodying upper and lower sections 1 and 8 the lower section 8 passing through a bore extended transversely through the foot piece at a point substantially intermediate the ends thereof. The bracket 6 also 55 includes vertical side members 9 which are covered with tubular members In constructed of soft material such as rubber, so that the side members 9 will be guarded against injuring the foot of the user, positioned on the foot piece.

A loop I is formed intermediate the ends of 5 the upper section 1, for the reception of the hook l2 which is secured to one end of the elastic cable l3. This cable I3 is also provided with a similar hook M at its opposite end that hooks into the loop l5 of the hand grip l6 which is 10 of the well known structure.

Formed on one surface of the foot piece 5, is an arch support I l which is so disposed that when the users foot is positioned thereon, the foot, while it is supported at the instep, is free to pivot, 15 should it be desired to exercise the muscles of the foot and ankle.

In the use of the exercising device in exercising the muscles of the back and hips, the user should lie on his back, as illustrated by Figure 1 of the 20 drawings, one of the exercising devices being positioned on each foot. The hand grips are now grasped by the user and the body is moved in much the same manner as in rowing a boat.

Muscles of the feet, ankles and legs may be ef- 5 fectively exercised by the user placing his feet on the foot pieces, and holding the hand grips in a manner as illustrated by Figure 2 of the drawings. The user now walks around the room, pulling the flexible cables against the pressure directed there- 30 to by the feet and legs.

Should it be desired to use the exercising device without the arch support, the foot pieces may be readily reversed so that the flat surfaces thereof will contact with the bottoms of the feet while 35 in use.

I claim:

In an exercising device, a foot piece, an enlargement formed on the upper surface of the foot piece adjacent to the inner edge thereof and 40 shaped to conform to the shape of an instep of a persons foot, said foot piece having a bore extending transversely therethrough, a bracket comprising a length of heavy wire material, the ends of the bracket extending into the bore and having a yieldable loop formed intermediate the ends thereof, said bracket adapted to pivot with respect to the foot piece, a yieldable cable hooked into the loop, a handle at the free end of the cable, said bracket adapted to swing according to the direction of pull directed thereto by said cable, and tubular cushioning members covering portions of the bracket.

J OHN A. CUNNINGHAM. 

